Pool covers

ABSTRACT

A storable pool cover which serves as a pool liner when not in use and which has an inflatable portion that functions as the cover when inflated.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,816,859 Mosehauer June 18, 1974 [54] POOL COVERS 3,077,6l0 2/1963 06111111 ..4/172.12 1761 Inventor: Michael Mosehauer, 125 Nichols $33533 $51323 EJ353333 1:311:11: 11135551 Spencerpofl, 14559 3,355,745 12/1967 Jannuzzi 4/17212 3,366,977 2/1968 146611161 4/17212 [22] Filed 1973 3,533,110 10/1970 GlSOnCli 4/17212 [21] Appl. No.: 339,441 3,619,957 11/1971 Adam 4/172.12 3,667,070 6/1972 Pitti 61 a]. 4/172.12 [52] U.S. Cl. 4/l72.12, 4/172.ll 51 1111.121 E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 prmary Examme Henry [58] Field of Search 4/172, 172.11, 172.12,

4/17213, 172.14; 52/1, 2; 220/26 [57] ABSTRACT A storable pool cover which serves as a pool liner [56] References Cited when not in use and which has an inflatable portion UNITED STATES PATENTS that functions as the cover when inflated. 2,884,156 4/1959 Graham et al. 4/l72.13 UX 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 POOL COVERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to pools, and more particularly, to a combination swimming pool liner and cover which is readily converted from one use to the other.

2. Description of Prior Art Swimming pools, especially private pools, are ever increasing in popularity and in number. As the number of pools increases so does the associated risk of children or pets accidentally falling into unattended pools. Fences required by many local ordinances can reduce this risk but only if they are unclimbable and if the gate is secured. Typically, however, the fences are low and all too often the gates are left open or unlatched.

Presently, many devices are available for covering pools in order to keep them clean and to prevent accidents of the type described. There are large rigid devices which can be slid or erected over a pool. There are tarpaulin devices which are stretched over a pool or are laid upon a framework of rigid ribs. Additionally, there are inflatable pool covers as described, for example, in U. S. Pat. No. 3,533.1 10. All ofthese devices are useful in preventing accidents; however, they suffer from several other disadvantages. MAny cover devices require large storage areas to house them when not in use. Additionally, most prior devices typically are difficult to install or remove. Of course, the more difficult it is to install, the less a cover tends to be used. The more elaborate versions are automated in order to facilitate covering and uncovering the pool; however, the latter devices are prohibitively expensive. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simple, relatively inexpensive pool cover which not only provides the necessary safety but which also is easily and quickly put into and out of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have found a device which can function effectively as an inexpensive pool cover but which is readily removed prior to use of the pool and which is readily set up to cover the pool when not in use. In some respects, the present cover is safer than many prior devices in that there is a greater tendency to actually use this cover because of the ease with which it is installed and removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a pool with the cover when not in use.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a pool with the cover in use.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there is seen pool typically having four relatively rigid widewalls 11 and bottom 12 which contain water or other liquid 13. As seen in FIG. 1, also contained within pool 10 is cover 14 which when not in use serves as an interliner for the pool. If pool 10 is vinyl lined, as is the case with most aboveground pools and with many in-ground pools, then cover 14 when not in use serves as added protection for the pool liner which if punctured results in the pool being inadvertently drained. Cover 14 comprises a flexible bottom member 15 which conforms substantially with the bottom 12 of the pool and which extends over substantially the entire surface of the bottom of the pool. Bottom member 15 can contain an integral spring-like retaining ring (not shown) around the periphery in order to keep member 15 in place. Additionally, member 15 can contain integral pockets (now shown) of sand, shot pellets, or some other form of ballasting material to keep member 15 from floating or moving around when the cover is not being used.

Bottom member 15 is attached to pool 10 and otherwise located by side member 16. Side member is adjacent and substantially coextensive with pool walls 11 when the cover is not in use. Side member 16 can merely be in the form of a plurality of individual flexible straps; however, greater protection is offered if side member 16 is an integral member, for example, a net or mesh which allows passage of water but not small solid objects. Side member 16 can be one continuous. flexible sheet having portions 17 adapted for passage of liquid 13 therethrough. Side member 16 is anchored around the inside periphery of the pool at approxi mately the surface level of liquid 13. The means of anchoring can be permanent or temporary (e.g., snaps or zippers).

When one desires to cover pool 10, pump means 18 connected to bottom member 15 by hose 19 is activated. Bottom member 15 is comprised of upper and lower portions 20 and 21, respectively (see FIG. 2) adapted to contain a fluid therebetween which is lighter or has a lower specific gravity than liquid 13. The fluid used to fill bottom member is supplied by pump means 18 from any necessary reservoir not shown). Typically, the fluid used will be air and no reservoir is needed. As bottom member 15 is filled, for example, with air, it starts to rise from the pool bottom until entire member 15 is floating on the surface of liquid 13. As member 15 rises to the surface, liquid 13 passes through side member 16, for example, through portions 17. When suitably filled, member 15 forms a convex cover which floats on and covers substantially entirely the surface of liquid 13.

A shutoff means not shown can be located at any convenient position on member 15, on hose 19 or in pump means 18 whereby the fluid in member 15 can be sealed in. When one desires to use the pool, cover 14 is readily removed by opening the shutoff means to allow the fluid to escape from member 15. Of course, pump means 18 could be used to withdraw the fluid from member 15. As the fluid escapes from member 15, it promptly sinks to the bottom of the pool where it is out of the way without requiring additional storage space.

In addition to the safety provided by the present cover, pools employing this cover will generally remain cleaner than those with no cover or those with many of the prior art covers. Because of the simplicity of the present cover, it will tend to be used more frequently thereby keeping out leaves and other windbome debris. Unlike some prior covers, the present device is not laid in the grass or dirt when not in use, thereby avoiding the transferrence of such dirt to the pool. The cover of this invention also helps to retain heat if the pool has been heated and it prevents loss of chemicals added to the water.

In accordance with this invention, cover 14 is made of a pliable plastic material such as poly(vinylchloride).

Typically, this plastic material will contain an added pigment to retard degradation of the plastic by ultraviolet radiation.

As described above, pump means 18 fills bottom member 15 with air when pool 10 is to be covered. Any of a variety of commercially available devices can be used as pump means 18. In fact, for most residential pools, many standard carpet vacuum cleaners can be used in reverse to fill cover 14 provided the cleaner is adapted to allow attachment of hose 19 to the exhaust thereof. For prompt storage of cover 14, pump means 18 can be reversed to rapidly withdraw the air in cover 14 thus allowing it to sink into the pool where the cover serves as a second liner.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A storable cover for a liquid-containing pool having sidewalls and a bottom, said cover comprising a flexible member which fits adjacent and substantially coextensive with said sidewalls and bottom, said member having an inflatable bottom portion which, when filled with a fluid lighter than said liquid, forms a convex cover which floats on and covers substantially entirely the surface of the liquid in said pool, said member having side portions affixed to said sidewalls at a position which allows the bottom portion, when filled with said fluid, to rise to and float on the surface of said liquid and said side portions being provided with openings to allow the free passage of said liquid therethrough.

2. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said liquid is water.

3. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said fluid is air.

4. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said side portions are affixed to the periphery of said pool at approximately the surface level of liquid in said pool.

5. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of a pliable, plastic material.

6. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of poly(vinylchloride).

7. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said bottom portion contains a ballasting material.

8. A storable cover for a water-containing swimming pool having sidewalls and a bottom, said cover comprising a flexible plastic member which fits adjacent and substantially coextensive with said sidewalls and bottom, said member having an inflatable bottom portion which, when inflated with air, forms a convex cover which floats on and covers substantially entirely the surface of the water in said pool, said member having side portions affixed to said sidewalls at a position which allows the inflated bottom portion to rise to the surface of the water and said side portions being provided with openings to allow the free passage of water therethrough and said bottom portion having an associated ballasting means to prevent floatation of said portion when deflated. 

1. A storable cover for a liquid-containing pool having sidewalls and a bottom, said cover comprising a flexible member which fits adjacent and substantially coextensive with said sidewalls and bottom, said member having an inflatable bottom portion which, when filled with a fluid lighter than said liquid, forms a convex cover which floats on and covers substantially entirely the surface of the liquid in said pool, said member having side portions affixed to said sidewalls at a position which allows the bottom portion, when filled with said fluid, to rise to and float on the surface of said liquid and said side portions being provided with openings to allow the free passage of said liquid therethrough.
 2. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said liquid is water.
 3. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said fluid is air.
 4. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said side portions are affixed to the periphery of said pool at approximately the surface level of liquid in said pool.
 5. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of a pliable, plastic material.
 6. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of poly(vinylchloride).
 7. The invention as described in claim 1 wherein said bottom portion contains a ballasting material.
 8. A storable cover for a water-containing swimming pool having sidewalls and a bottom, said cover comprising a flexible plastic member which fits adjacent and substantially coextensive with said sidewalls and bottom, said member having an inflatable bottom portion which, when inflated with air, forms a convex cover which floats on and covers substantially entirely the surface of the water in said pool, said member having side portions affixed to said sidewalls at a position which allows the inflated bottom portion to rise to the surface of the water and said side portions being provided with openings to allow the free passage of water therethrough and said bottom portion having an associated ballasting means to prevent floatation of said portion when deflated. 